p.1 #2 · One successful stack and one failed and one hitchhiker....
I'm curious what aperture you used that required 299 shots? Are you using a camera that does the stacking internally? M4/3? Just trying to understand more about the shots. Speaking from experience, that's a lot of focal adjustments if doing it manually
p.1 #3 · One successful stack and one failed and one hitchhiker....
Hi Greg,
I am using Sony so the adjustments are done automatically. So essentially you can setup
1.Step size
2.Number of steps
As well as loads of other settings
Then you autofocus on the starting point of the object you want to stack and fire and it startes rattling though taking a shot adjusting the focus and taking the next shot etc.
You are right you could also adjust your aperture but I have found I have gotten better results and better detail using my lens at f2.8 and taking more shots. I will experiment a bit more with this though as I have only just started doing stacking so still learning a lot
I am using helicon focus to stack and there are a few settings on there I am experimenting with too. If you zoom into the center bits of the plant you can see some blurring around the edge of them. I am not sure if it’s possible to get rid of those or if that’s a natural artefact of the stack.
While you are zoomed in you will see a caterpillar right at the base (I had no idea he was there when photographing the flower)
p.1 #4 · One successful stack and one failed and one hitchhiker....
photo325 wrote:
Hi Greg,
I am using Sony so the adjustments are done automatically. So essentially you can setup
1.Step size
2.Number of steps
As well as loads of other settings
Then you autofocus on the starting point of the object you want to stack and fire and it startes rattling though taking a shot adjusting the focus and taking the next shot etc.
You are right you could also adjust your aperture but I have found I have gotten better results and better detail using my lens at f2.8 and taking more shots. I will experiment a bit more with this though as I have only just started doing stacking so still learning a lot
I am using helicon focus to stack and there are a few settings on there I am experimenting with too. If you zoom into the center bits of the plant you can see some blurring around the edge of them. I am not sure if it’s possible to get rid of those or if that’s a natural artefact of the stack.
While you are zoomed in you will see a caterpillar right at the base (I had no idea he was there when photographing the flower) ...Show more →
Thanks. I've done quite a bit of focus stacking, but I usually do it manually and use f/8 or f/9 in most cases. At the MFD, the DoF is pretty thin even at those apertures, but it usually takes closer to 20-30 shots vs hundreds. Just something to try. I also usually use a well lit window and a couple of bounce cards to get the exposure. I use Photoshop but know Helicon is top notch.
p.1 #5 · One successful stack and one failed and one hitchhiker....
Appreciate the tips Greg, I was using a single led panel to light these guys I hadn’t even considered bouncing the light around I will try and get some of them ordered.
I’ll try experimenting with f8-f9 tomorrow 20-30 shots seems much more manageable and will be much quicker to process at the end
I’ll also give Photoshop a go for the stacking as I am using an m4 Mac mini to generate the final image it might be more optimised for Mac hardware.
p.1 #7 · One successful stack and one failed and one hitchhiker....
gregfountain wrote:
Thanks. I've done quite a bit of focus stacking, but I usually do it manually and use f/8 or f/9 in most cases. At the MFD, the DoF is pretty thin even at those apertures, but it usually takes closer to 20-30 shots vs hundreds. Just something to try. I also usually use a well lit window and a couple of bounce cards to get the exposure. I use Photoshop but know Helicon is top notch.
Cheers!
Greg
OM/Olympus will easily stack subjects like that in-camera handheld in seven shots. Shot in natural light.
OM-1MarkII OLYMPUS M.40-150mm F2.8 lens106mmf/4.01/500s200 ISO0.0 EV
